Under The Tuscan Sun

By: The Dweeb

DVD Features Video: 1.85:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Deleted Scenes Tuscany 101 Making Of Featurette Audio Commentary With Director Audrey Wells  Theatrical release:9/20/2003 DVD released on 2/3/2004 by Walt Disney/ Buena Vista Home Video Running time of 113 minutes Starring:  Raoul Bova, Lindsay Duncan, Diane Lane, Sandra Oh Director: Audrey Wells  Plot: A writer from America becomes frustrated with her life and decides to move to Tuscany, Italy to figure things out. After buying a dilapidated villa in the countryside, her life turns around.

You know I had some reservations when I popped this movie into the ole DVD player. I mean, come on its a chick flick right? Some silly romantic comedy was what I was expecting, and to my surprise it was not. I don’t know why they marketed it this way, probably to attract the female demographic I suppose, but this is more of a film that deals with a personal transformation.

Based on a true story, Under the Tuscan Sun is about a middle aged writer who goes through a nasty divorce and lands into this permanent funk, although she doesn’t see it herself. On a whim, she decides to go to Italy for a break and in one of life’s twists decides to buy this old villa in Tuscany. From there, her story unfolds as she tries to find happiness again while changing the lives of those around her. She is a catalyst for major changes to all the people that she meets throughout her stay in that old rustic town. Her ultimate goal is to eventually meet someone to fall in love with, but for most of the film she is fruitless in her pursuit, not until she comes to terms with herself.

Frances, played by Diane Lane, and the house she bought grow and change together as the movie progresses. The transformation of this old dilapidated house to its former glory runs parallel to how she changes along with it. Like the restoration, her inner beauty does not emerge until the house is finished. Predictable yes, but still entertaining to watch. There is a good mix of humor in here and by the end of film you will find yourself rooting for her.

This film was shot in the beautiful Italian Tuscany region, which after watching makes one want to pack your bags for the first flight to Italy. The cinematography is top notch work, the colors just leap off the screen, very vibrant and rich. In the middle of it I had to pause and get myself a nice glass of wine to go along with it. Yeah, go ahead men, laugh all you want.

The overall DVD package they created for the movie isn’t too bad. The sound and video transfer are excellent, as it should be for a newer film. There are also a couple of extras and a commentary track, but not much else. One would get the feeling that this could be a 2 hour commercial for the Italian tourism board, but its a pretty enjoyable movie. Guys, if you want to score some points with the ladies watch it with her. You will enjoy it as well, its not mushy at all.

Reviewer’s Opinion: RENT IT!!